This bill amends the definition of "recovery house" in RSA 153:10-d, II, changing it from a "residence" to a "primarily non-transient dwelling or dwelling unit." The new definition emphasizes that a recovery house provides a substance-free living environment for individuals in recovery from addiction, living as a single household, and centered on peer support and connections to recovery services. Additionally, the bill specifies that recovery housing does not include boarding houses, rooming houses, halfway houses, or any other licensed facilities under RSA 151.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new paragraph to RSA 674:17, which outlines how recovery houses should be treated in zoning ordinances. It states that recovery houses located within single-family, two-family, or multi-family structures will be classified as such and will not be subject to additional permitting or approval processes that are not required for similar uses. The bill also mandates that operators of recovery houses must notify local governing bodies at least 30 days before beginning operations and ensures that these houses are certified or actively pursuing certification. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 153:10-d, 674:17